encroachment

[en-krohch-muhnt]

noun

1. an act or instance of encroaching.

2. anything taken by encroaching.

Other Word Forms

• nonencroachment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of encroachment¹

1425–75; late Middle English encrochement < Anglo-French. See encroach, -ment

Example Sentences

Wild mountain lions face constant risks in California, including vehicles, wildfires and habitat encroachment, Hernandez-Cusick said.

From Los Angeles Times

During a recent state assembly hearing, Wiener said that “any city or water district or special district where some sort of encroachment permit is required” can slow down a project’s process by simply doing nothing.

From Los Angeles Times

In addition, government figures reveal that more than 600,000 trees have been felled in Kashmir over the last five years after being identified as river encroachments.

From BBC

And, on both sides of the Atlantic, content creators, licensors and owners have gone to court in an effort to prevent what they see as AI firms encroachment on creative rights.

From BBC

These valleys were originally designated as no-construction zones but over the years, encroachment has taken place and later changes in the law permitted infrastructure projects to be built in the area, he says.

From BBC

Related Words

• inroad 
• intrusion 
• invasion